Porto's 10 Stunning Restaurants, Dining in Portugal

In a city where the fish are caught fresh each morning and the wine is produced locally, dining out is truly a pleasure. With so many restaurants in Porto specializing in fresh fish and seafood, locally farmed meats and regional delicacies, it can be hard to choose where to dine. So here is our list of the best Porto has to offer.

Wine Quay Bar

Wine Quay Bar

Become absorbed in the sophisticated wine culture of Portugal by spending an evening at the Wine Quay Bar. Although full meals are not served here, wine aficionados will be more than satisfied with the delectable tapas accompaniments to the fabulous wines. Guests are always asked what their favorite wines are before being recommended a local alternative to try. In between glasses of wine, diners can snack on tasty local cheeses, olives, fresh bread and oils, and plates of cold meats. Wine Quay Bar gives visitors a great taste of Portugal’s local wine and food culture.

Atmosphere:

Camafeu

A must-try dining experience in the heart of Porto, the interior of Camafeu resembles a first-floor apartment, giving guests the impression of dining in a local’s living room. Stark French windows look out over bustling Carlos Alberto Square, and mismatched chairs and tables create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The dishes here are colorful and inviting, and manage to taste divine without appearing pretentious. To sample some authentic Portuguese home-style cooking, opt for the duck with puréed sweet potato, the grilled octopus, or the pork cheek main courses, and the dessert sampler for afters.

Casa de Pasto da Palmeira

Perfectly positioned for watching the sun go down, Casa de Pasto da Palmeira boasts a covered outdoor seating area that offers fabulous views out to sea. The chefs here have adapted traditional Portuguese dishes, turning them into tapas-sized portions perfect for sharing with a loved one or a group of friends. The dishes are hearty, Portuguese-style comfort food and are bigger than normal tapas portions, so parties of two are recommended to order just three between them (although no one will blame you for ordering four or five). Waiters are always happy to give customers their recommendations, and the filioque rolls of smoked chicken, the seared tuna with red onions, and the spring rolls filled with local sausage, are always great choices. Casa de Pasto da Palmeira is also well known for its incredible varieties of sangria and the choice of local wines on offer.

O Comercial

Ever-popular with sophisticated locals and curious tourists alike, O Comercial is located within the most visited monument in the entire northern part of Portugal, the Palacio da Bolsa. The restaurant itself is extremely spacious but manages to retain an intimate feel, due to the beautiful décor and well-designed layout. Using only the freshest of local ingredients, O Comercial puts on an exquisite spread. Diners can enjoy a three-course lunch complete with water, wine and coffee for just €15, or a set menu dinner for just €20, making this an affordable, as well as a high-quality, restaurant.

The Yeatman

Porto’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, The Yeatman offers diners an unrivalled evening view across the city, as well as incredible-tasting food. Using fresh local produce, the chefs create an array of imaginative dishes that are matched perfectly with fine wines by the sommelier. A range of tasting menus is available to suit different appetites and budgets, allowing guests to sample a variety of dishes over an entire evening. But it’s the added extras that really make The Yeatman special, such as the innovative hors d’oeuvres of white chocolate foie gras lollipops and little guacamole cones. Guests staying at The Yeatman Hotel can also choose to dine on their own private terrace for an exceptionally romantic meal.

Adega E Presuntaria Transmontana II

A classic little Portuguese restaurant perfectly situated for a bit of people-watching, Adega E Presuntaria Transmontana II has an abundant menu, rich in flavors and exquisite dishes. Diners can choose a table inside the restaurant or on the riverfront on warm summer evenings. With so many dishes to choose from, it’s always a good option to order one of the chef’s recommendations: partridge with chestnuts and chives, sautéed wild boar, or baked kid leg with potatoes. Adega gives tourists the chance to try some authentic local dishes, so be sure to order a portion of either the codfish tongue or the cuttlefish with ink.

Book

One for literature lovers, Book is a bit of a gimmick but it gets away with it, as the food and service are both second-to-none. Set within an old bookstore, the walls are lined with old titles, and both the menu and the bill are brought to the table inside the pages of a book. Each course is referred to by different chapters of a book, and the wine menu is divided into genres, rather than regions. Like most restaurants in Porto, guests can choose to dine al fresco as well as inside, but for the novelty factor, inside is the preferred choice here. Although very popular with couples enjoying romantic dinners, families and groups are also welcome.

Gosho Restaurant

For an evening away from authentic Portuguese dining, the Gosho Restaurant at the Porto Palacio Hotel is a delectable Japanese fusion restaurant. Serving a range of sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and creative Japanese tapas dishes, Gosho manages the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese cooking. The open kitchen enables customers to watch the chef at work preparing the exquisitely presented dishes. The restaurant itself is stylish, despite the unexpected TV screens that line the walls. Choose the tasting menu to truly experience the creative flair of Gosho, or opt for some more classic sushi options off of the a la carte menu.

O Paparico

O Paparico must have created its menu with couples in mind, as every dish is made for two to share. The focus here is on national Portuguese dishes cooked the traditional way, with a few modern and innovative twists thrown in to liven things up, such as in the preparation of the cod sushi. Stone-clad walls, crisp white table linens, and burning candles create a relaxed and romantic ambiance in which to enjoy a selection of delicious dishes. Reserve a table for two and tuck into a selection of O Paparico’s most famous specials, such as the veal with a bone marrow sauce, or the monkfish with prawns. A selection of starters awaits diners on arrival at their table, and the list of over 800 great wines is sure to please.

Pedro Lemos

Named after the restaurant’s head chef, Pedro Lemos is one of the most established restaurants in Porto. Specializing in rich Portuguese dishes created using the finest quality ingredients, sourced directly from the producers, this is a restaurant for the true gourmand traveler. For a special occasion, the seven-course feasting menu is the best way to experience the sheer expertise of the chef’s imagination and culinary skills. But for something smaller, and kinder to the wallet, the three-course tasting menu with wine is more than sufficient, and absolutely excellent.